Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-06
THE JUBILEE OVER.
Closing Exercises of the Methodist
Semi-CentennfaI Anniversary Ceie-
bratIon-Nr. Jacks0n's Address en-
the City of Rock Island.

Last evening occurred the closing ex-
ercises Of the celebration of the SEMI
centennial anniversary of the existence OF
the First NJ. E. Church in Rock Island.
The principal feature of the day, as In
deed one of the most interesting
parts OF the three days pro-
oramme, was the historical address last
evening by William Jackson. Esq. on
The City of Rock Island" 1t was an
address which was prepared with a great
deal of care, every resource of knowl>
edge pertaining to the locality having
evidently been exhausted in its prepara>
tion. and the production is one not only
of interest to the Methodist denomina-
ton, but to the entire city and commu-
nifty.
Mr. Jackson commenced his sketch by |
referring TO the occupancy of this county |
by the Sac and Fox Indians. previous to
the advent of the white settlers. Starting |
from Eastern Canada with the Sacs, |
thence westward. being driven by their
enemies until they formed an alliance
with the Foxes at or near Green Bay, |
Wisconsin. Then the united tribes ex-
plored the valley OF Rock River, and
finally built the Indian village of
Saukenuk, at or near where the village of
Sears is located. The speaker then
mentioned some Of their characteristics
as village Indians, locating their corn
| fields from Searstown to Elm street on
the slopes Of the bluff The Fox Indians
were mentioned as having their village
in the eastern part Of the city and
their burying ground in the neighbor
hood of Hubers brewery. 1t was stated
that Col George Davenport always spoke
highly Of their honesty. having at one
time trusted The tribes to the amount OF
$4,000 without security, except the
word of the chiefs The speaker then
briefly referred to Col. Davenport and
Russell Farnham, stating incidents in the
lives. of both.
Farnhamsburg the first name of this
locality. was located near the residence of
the late ?. L. Cable ESQ, the first home
being built by Davenport aud Farnham
in 1926, and occupied by John Burrell,
Virginian. This house was used as a
hotel and was the first home of that kind
in this city. The first saloon was open
cd in this house by Capt. Pike, first
sheriff OF this county. The whiskev sold
was known as Red Eye, drinks % cents,
the depth OF three fingers in the glass
Here WAS held the first court April rs
1884. The first election was also held
here Tor county commissioners, July 9Th,
| 1888. This first election for town officers
IN the town of Stephenson, Was held Oct
IS, 1887, thirty seven votes being cast
at which election, Joseph Knox, Miles
Conway, Zachariah Cook, Samuel Smith
and J. Bomard Smith were elected trus-
tees. The speaker called attention to the
fact that this year, 1887. was the semi
centenia! year OF the municipal fortunes of
this city, first as Stephenson, next as town
of Rock Island, next City of Rock Island.
The speaker then mentioned the first
white settlers, who began to arrive about
the years 1928 and 1929, chief among
them being the late Judge John W .
Spencer, locating the CABIN Of Mr.. Spen-
Ger on Seventh avenue on the residence
lot of Meyer Rosenfeld The speaker
then referred to the economy Of tue early
city fathers The first bill allowed was
81 .37l for a blank book, also al allow
ance of 81 30 foi nearly two years serv
ices to the clerk. Also showing that the
town receipts for 1913 were about S186.
aud expenditures about $50, leaving Il
balance in the town treasury to apply on
debt. That for the six years previous
the whole amount of town orders issued
was 5000
The first ordinance WAS passed Decem
Der T. 1887. The first saloon license to
A. & B. j. Van Court, the fee fer which
was $25. To Jonah Il Case was issued
the first tavern license by the county,
July s, 1888. Mr.. Jackson then referred
to a levy of one-half Of one per cent. on
the personal property in the county by
the county commissioners, which includ-
ed houses, the speaker here remarkine
that We had lived 20 see the day when the
claim Of property in man was abandoned
forever
The gradual growth OF The city WAS
then presented, showing that the bust,
ness of the city was first started in the
neig hborhood of Thirteenth and Four
teenth streets and First and Second ave.
nues, gradually extending easterly, espec-
lallv during the years from 1850 TO 1857.
The growth of our school system was
briefly sketched, giving the names Of the
first corps of school teachers under the
present system, and the names of the
presidents of the board of education,
showing that the late Mr.. Ben. Harper
was six years president of the board
Following in the same line was brief
mention of other matters of interest, in
Guiding the churches, postofice and Har
per house Then commendatory mention
was made of Chippiannock cemetery,
praising the beauty of its loca-
ton and the enterprise of the
board of directors. giving the
name of OrsOn Walter Whipple as the
first person inferred the number of in